Our Story
From a childhood dream in New Mexico to a global calling—discover how faith, perseverance, and compassion transform lives across the world.
Staci Austin
Founder
A Dream from Childhood
Hello, my name is Staci Austin. I'm the founder of Rory and Sully. Rory and Sully was first visualized when I was a little girl in Farmington, New Mexico. My childhood friend Ellyn and I made a drawing of an orphanage we were one day going to open. We always believed our orphanage would be in the United States, but God had other plans.
I made my first trip to Kenya on Christmas Day 2020. What I saw was overwhelming. There are over 3.5 million orphans in Nairobi alone. Twenty percent of them won't make it to five years old. While I was there I met Pastor Eric. He took me on a tour of the local village and surrounding area.
"The next place I saw took my breath away. Pastor Eric owns a piece of property he was proudly showing me. The property was identical to what Ellyn and I had drawn decades ago. I knew in my heart that this is where God wants me to be."
Since my first trip, I have been back to Kenya regularly to do the necessary paperwork, open the orphanage, and then go retrieve the kids. There have been some frightening situations for me personally, but God has strengthened my faith through it all. He is good…
Our Mission
Driven by Purpose
Connecting hearts, changing futures.
The Rory and Sully Project is a faith-driven nonprofit dedicated to protecting, uplifting, and empowering orphans, vulnerable children, widows, and families in crisis across the world. Born from a childhood vision shared with best friend Ellyn—and named in honor of her children—the project carries forward a legacy of compassion, purpose, and calling.
Our mission reaches across continents, focusing on practical, sustainable, and deeply relational care in places where children are most at risk. We believe that every child deserves protection, hope, and the opportunity to thrive.
What We Do
Kenya
- • Partners with local leaders and communities in Nairobi and the Lake Victoria region
- • Provides food, school fees, emergency relief, and community support
- • Builds programs addressing abuse, trauma, addiction, and mental health
- • Supports widows and single mothers through empowerment initiatives
Our Future Vision
Our calling extends beyond Kenya. We are planning to expand the Rory and Sully Project's work to the Philippines and other regions around the world where vulnerable children, trafficking survivors, and families in crisis need protection, healing, and hope.
As God opens doors and provides resources, we will launch programs to rescue, restore, and reintegrate at-risk children in these communities. We'll share exciting updates as this vision becomes reality.
Local & Global Work
- • Assists families escaping domestic violence or homelessness
- • Provides emergency resources, housing connections, and advocacy
- • Partners with churches, nonprofits, and community leaders to create long-term impact
- • Raises awareness about the realities of trafficking, trauma, and global child vulnerability
At its heart, the Rory and Sully Project is about answering a lifelong calling—one God planted in the founder's childhood—to protect children, fight injustice, and bring hope to the places where others have turned away.
What Others Say
"Ever since I have known Staci Austin, I have known her to be a take-charge person, driven to succeed yet she has a heart as soft as a lamb. Her dedication to reach and impact the children in Kenya comes from a lifelong dream she and her childhood friend Ellyn shared. Despite multiple obstacles that have been placed in her path, along with the doubt of others who don't share her vision, Staci has persevered. It is an honor to know Staci Austin."
— John Harrell
"With passion, perseverance and purpose, Staci Austin has devoted herself to helping the children of Kenya without wavering. Having known Staci for 20+ years, I can confirm she is a faith-filled woman grounded in Christian beliefs. Staci has a heart for people, especially kids in need. It is my prayer that God will continue to bless Staci's work through Rory and Sully, and that she will touch the lives of the children in Kenya and wherever God leads her."
— Deanna McAlpine-Robinson
Join Our Mission
Your generosity directly transforms the lives of orphaned children and vulnerable families across Kenya, the Philippines, and around the world. Be part of something bigger than yourself.